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Supporters, opponents discuss bill to arm school police officers

Those for, against plan packed room to discuss issue with Board of Education

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Updated: 8:01 AM EST Feb 25, 2015

Those on both sides of a plan to arm Baltimore City school police officers inside of schools packed a public forum Tuesday night to address their concerns.

Supporters, opponents discuss bill to arm school police officers

Those for, against plan packed room to discuss issue with Board of Education

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Updated: 8:01 AM EST Feb 25, 2015

BALTIMORE —

Those on both sides of a plan to arm Baltimore City school police officers inside schools packed a public forum Tuesday night to address their concerns.

There were strong emotions on both sides of the issue. Some supporters of the plan questioned what good a police officer is without a gun while critics said arming officers would make schools feel more like jails than places to learn.

City schools Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 Union President Clyde Boatwright had strong words for the Board of Education about the matter.

"We are one heartbeat away from our town becoming the next Newtown," he said.

He spoke at a packed meeting in support of House Bill 101, which was introduced in the state Legislature in January. It would arm city school police officers inside district buildings.

"I think because of everything that's going on nationally, we want to ensure that the police officers are safe and that they can ensure the safety of the students and the staff members," said Baltimore City School Board student commissioner Eddie Hawkins.

But critics came to the meeting armed with signs in protest.

Melissa Schober addressed the board with her daughter, Grace. She said she wants the board to work with parents and students while making a decision. She also wants them to explain how officers are being trained.

"I learned at the hearing in Annapolis that there was only one special needs training from 2012 to 2014. No one could tell me if officers needed to do a certain number of hours before they could be assigned to a school," Schober said.

Some students also had issues with the proposal.

"I go to school every day to learn, not to be threatened or to feel like I'm a part of some institution where I'm being watched or policed 24/7," said Baltimore City College High School student Makayla Gillam-Price.

But there were just as many people in the crowded room who said they support school police officers and would like to see them armed.

"You don't know what goes on inside a school unless you sit in the building itself. I've seen it with my own eyes, different circumstances where officers with guns should have been in the building," said Corey Larkins, the uncle of a student.

The plan to arm school officers isn't a done deal yet. A hearing on the bill is set for March in the state Legislature.

Officers are currently allowed to carry guns when they patrol the outside of school buildings. If the legislation is passed, officers would be armed inside buildings starting July 1.